Patient Claim Line have had sight of a recent internal review which has been conducted by the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The internal review confirms that an audit of their maternity services took place and identified 52 women who suffered either 3rd or 4th degree perineal tears during childbirth (between 2020 – 2022) were not provided the appropriate aftercare. The affected women were not referred for postnatal urogynaecological and physiotherapy follow-ups. This is in contradiction to national guidelines which states patients should be reviewed in the postnatal period to discuss injuries sustained during childbirth to help reduce the impact.
How can Patient Claim Line help if there has been medical negligence?
For those women who suffer perineal trauma without the offer of appropriate aftercare and treatment it could have adverse effects on their health. There is an expectation that you will be informed by the hospital of any treatment or referral needed, however if you believe you have been effect we encourage you to take action. Perineal tears can be associated with significant complications if not managed appropriately and this could equate to medical negligence.
Why talk to us about making a medical negligence claim?
Making a claim is not just about getting financial compensation for something which was avoidable, it is also a vital in preventing it happening to someone else.
Christian Beadell Head of Group Actions said:
“We are very concerned to have been notified of the failure by Pinderfields Hospital to ensure adequate follow up and referral for those patients who have sustained 3rd and 4th degree tears following delivery. This is a significant birth injury and guidelines exists to ensure that patients receive prompt and appropriate follow up treatment to minimise the impact and prevent worsening.
The Trust has identified that at least 15% of all patients who sustained tears between 2020 and 2022 did not have a referral and this is unacceptable. It is crucial that these patients are given swift follow up and that the reason for the oversight are identified. The trust must ensure that patients prior to 2020 are not affected and that the problem is now addressed to provide the necessary reassurance to all patients using the maternity service.”
Key allegations
52 women have suffered either 3rd or 4th degree perineal tears during childbirth
These women did not receive appropriate aftercare and were not been referred for a follow-up
This goes against national guidelines which states patients should be reviewed in the postnatal period
What happens next?
If you or a loved one are concerned about the maternity care received at Pinderfields Hospital, please contact our expert medical negligence solicitors to talk about your experience. Our specialists will advise you on a no obligation basis, and explain the claims process, should you have a valid claim.
Have you been impacted?
At Patient Claim Line, our vastly experienced team help people on a No Win, No Fee basis, removing any financial risk. If you have suffered following childbirth at Pinderfields Hospital we encourage you to call us. We provide a Free, No obligation assessment to see if we can help you.
Find out if you can claimOur team of experts will support you all the way
Our Group Actions team is led by Christian Beadell and Francesca Paul. They are supported by a dedicated team of expert medical negligence solicitors. The team forms part of a wider medical negligence department, with Peter Rigby at the helm. Our Group Actions team specialises in bringing forward collective clinical negligence claims against a hospitals, and have a track record of successfully securing compensation for our clients.
Adrian Denson
Chief Legal Officer
Peter Rigby
Director of Medical Negligence
Christian Beadell
Partner, Head of Strategy and Legal Operations
Francesca Paul
Partner & Solicitor